JOAN’S BLOG – WED/THUR., NOVEMBER 4/5, 2009 –NOVEMBER IS ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS MONTH

Although we discuss awareness raising all year long here on this website, particularly as related to EOAD (Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease), this month gives everyone a chance all over the country to get into the act. When speaking of raising awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease, two questions come to mind immediately:

1. Why? Why do we need to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease?
2. What can I do? 

My answer to the first question would be to get the caregiver the support services we need and the proper treatment and services for the person with the disease. There are over 3,000 discussion topics on the Alzheimer Spouse Message Boards, and many of them deal with the lack of understanding of the disease from family, friends, and ALL healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, EMT’s, and nursing home aides.

When healthcare professionals, particularly primary care doctors, are basically ignorant about the early symptoms, and brush them off as “normal aging” or in a younger patient, everything from depression to menopause, precious time is lost in getting proper treatment. I have attended countless conferences in which the overriding theme is that it is CRUICIAL to educate primary care doctors and other health professionals about Alzheimer’s Disease. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better chance the patient will have increased “quality years” of life with medication, meaningful activities and travel, an ability to be included in “advance directive” planning, and socialization. In my husband’s case, 2 years were lost because of misdiagnosis and incorrect medication. It was 2 years of stress, anxiety, confusion, and worsening symptoms that would not have occurred had we received the proper diagnosis.

When family members and friends do not understand the seriousness and complexity of the disease, the caregiver is left bearing the burden alone. It is mental, emotional, and physical torture, which often leads to the caregiver’s own health problems. We who are living with this disease understand that it is not just a “memory problem”. We know that it is a fatal, brain destruction disease, and we need help not only caring for our spouse with AD; we need help caring for ourselves. We need respite. We need help with the arduous physical tasks of bathing and changing. And we need funding for this help.

To answer the second question – what can I do? Plenty.

For those who have neither the time nor the interest in getting out into the community face to face, there is e-mail and the telephone. If everyone reading this, sent ONE e-mail or made ONE phone call to educate ONE person about the true nature of Alzheimer’s Disease – that it is not just a memory problem, that it is a fatal brain destruction disease; that it destroys  relationships and the caregiver’s emotional and physical health – thousands more people will be touched. This website receives between 30,000 and 50,000 page requests per day. Every person reading this. One phone call. One e-mail.

The Alzheimer’s Association website recommends:
         Write Congress
         Become an advocate
         Sign up to be a champion

One of last year’s suggestions was to wear or carry something everyday that will encourage other’s to ask about Alzheimer’s Disease:

                 A purple ribbon
                 I have designed a number of items in my Zazzle Gallery
                 to raise awareness – travel mug, t-shirt, keychains, and canvas bags.

For an excellent overview of why raising awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease is so important, please read this blog-Alzheimer's Awareness- Why Bother? by Dennis Fortier, president of Medical Care Corporation.

Tell us what you think of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and what you plan to do to raise awareness of the disease that is destroying your spouse – MESSAGE BOARD TOPIC:  Joan’s Blog – National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – What are you doing to raise awareness?

Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com 

©Copyright 2009 Joan Gershman 
The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
2009 All Rights Reserved

The material included on this website contains general information intended as information only. This site is not intended to provide personal, professional, medical, or psychological advice, and should not be relied upon to govern behavior in any certain or particular circumstances. The opinions in the blogs are solely those of the owner of the website. The opinions on the message boards are not necessarily endorsed by the owner of this website, and are the opinions of those persons writing the messages. All material on this web site is for demonstration and informational purposes only.

The Alzheimer Spouse LLC 2009 All Rights Reserved